RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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SportsMoney IndyCar’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix Of Washington DC Is Off And Rolling By Bruce Martin ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I have been chasing race cars since the first Michigan 500 in 1981. Follow Author Aug 22, 2026, 12:39pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary IndyCar has hit the streets of the National Mall to start practice and qualifying for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C. It's an emotional, historic event, marking the first major auto race around the National Mall to celebrate the USA's 250th birthday. Penske Corporation President Bud Denker, the driving force behind this "journey of a lifetime," was teary-eyed seeing the 1.7-mile street course, built in just three weeks, come alive. This monumental feat, achieved with FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks and D.C. partners, is hailed as a model for future events. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown underscored its immense value for IndyCar, predicting significant fan and sponsorship growth. This unique spectacle, likely a one-time occurrence, is a testament to American ingenuity.
As the President of the Penske Corporation, Bud Denker knows how to close some major business deals. But what he was able to see come to completion Saturday morning on the streets of Washington, D.C. literally made him teary eyed.
As the green flag waved and the cars charged off pit lane, onto the 1.7-mile, seven-turn street course off pit lane, Denker, who is also the Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC, captured it on iPhone video while he was fighting back emotion.
Denker was the driving force behind getting this event to become a reality along with FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks.
Although the brainchild for this race began several years ago, the campaigning for this event began in August 2025.
“It’s emotional,” Denker said. “It’s been the journey of my life. To see it come true with Roger Penske’s support. I’ve got an amazing team of people that made this happen.
“This track was not here three weeks ago. Not one bridge, not one wall, not one fence. The planning for it has taken seven months. Normally, it would take two years. I’ve got the most incredible group of people, but also the partners in DC, the Mayor, the President, the Cabinet Members, everybody that made this happen.
“If we can find other places with partners like we have here, it’s a real model we can learn from and take to other places, our group can do this anywhere in the world.”
Because of the historic nature of this event, the first-time a major auto racing series has raced around the National Mall and past some of the most iconic buildings of the United States Government, this is more than a race, it is a grand spectacle to help celebrate the 250 th birthday of the United States.
Zak Brown, the McLaren Racing CEO, is in Washington, D.C. instead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on Sunday.
“It’s self-explanatory,” Brown said. “It’s a massive event for IndyCar. Commercially awesome. We have great fans that love our racing, but this is going to bring a lot of awareness to IndyCar for new fans. When they tune in, they are going to love it. The amount of executives we have here is phenomenal.
“I’m already hoping there is a Year Two, but let’s get through Year One first.
“I think we are going to build a bigger fan base off this event. When you have a bigger fan base, the sport is all about fans, you will end up attracting more sponsor partners. This is going to be really healthy. Grow our fan base and our sponsorship base. The amount of people we have out is fantastic. The track looks amazing.
“I’ve traveled all over the world, and I can’t think of a cooler setting than looking at the Capitol in the background. I’m excited for the race.”
IndyCar may be based in the United States, and it has an internationally diverse driver lineup. On this weekend, the IndyCar community considers it an honor to compete in a race that honors America.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC will likely never be held on this race course again because of the monumental challenges it took to make this happen, that is why it is a moment to remember in American sports history. That was enough to make one of America’s most influential business leaders emotional.
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